Set in the early 1940s, Arsenic tells the story of newspaper drama critic Mortimer Brewster. He’s just a normal, run-of-the-mill guy who is anxious to marry his fiancé, the girl-next-door and a minister’s daughter, Elaine. But standing solidly between Mortimer and matrimonial bliss is the wackiest, weirdest family tree that ever grew! His two sweet aunts, Abby and Martha have developed murder as their favorite hobby. Out of a twisted sense of sympathy, they regularly poison lonely old men with a mixture of arsenic and elderberry wine and then bury them in the cellar. Cousin Teddy sports a pince-nez, a handlebar moustache and regularly charges up San Juan Hill! And horrid brother Jonathan has just arrived from an asylum with a new face (ala Boris Karloff) and a sinister side-kick named Dr. Einstein. It’s “Home Sweet Homicide” as Mortimer tries to thwart the police, conceal a corpse, curtail anymore killing, and convince Elaine that a wedding with a man who is drowning in such a murky gene pool could lead to happily ever after. Madcap meets the macabre in this perfectly-crafted comedy that’s been delighting audiences for over 75 years! Perfect for the whole family!

Character Descriptions:

Abby Brewster: A darling elderly lady who poisons elderly men, Abby is the sister of Martha and aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. (Age 55-75)

Martha Brewster: A sweet elderly woman with Victorian charm who poisons elderly men, Martha is the sister of Abby and an aunt to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. (Age 55-75)

Elaine Harper: A bright, attractive girl in her twenties and Mortimer’s fiancée, Elaine is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Harper. She is surprisingly wise in the ways of the world for a minister’s daughter. (Age 25-30)

Mortimer Brewster: Nephew of Abby and Martha, Mortimer is a drama critic who is engaged to Elaine. A good-hearted cynic who is about to have his world turned upside down. (Age 25-35)

Teddy Brewster: Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Teddy is a “special” man who thinks that he is Theodore Roosevelt. (Age 40-65)

Officer O’Hara: A police officer, O’Hara is a would-be playwright who pesters Mortimer to read his play. (Age 18-55)

Jonathan Brewster: Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster, Jonathan is a psychopath who has numerous murders to his credit and no scruples whatsoever. A bit oversensitive to his “new” appearance. (Age 35-55)

Dr. Einstein: A strange plastic surgeon and an alcoholic in his fifties, Dr. Einstein has changed Jonathan’s face three times, with his most recent work resulting in a Boris Karloff/Frankenstein resemblance. (Age 45-60)

The Rev. Dr. Harper: Minister and father of Elaine. A bit pompous and protective, very ministerial in his manner. (Age 55-70)

Officer Brophy: A flatfoot Brooklyn cop with the usual charm of a police officer (Age 18-60)

Lieutenant Rooney: A tough and dominating police officer (Age 25-50)

Mr. Gibbs: An elderly man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters. (Age 60-80)